Environmental Chemistry

ECTS Credits

10

Level of Study

Bachelor

Full-time/Part-time

Full-time

Teaching semester

Spring.

Objectives and Content

The course main topics:
(I) Energy production
(II) Chemical reactions in the atmosphere
(III) Aquatic chemistry and water pollution
(IV) Chemical conditions in the biosphere
(V) Impact of toxic compounds in the environment - both natural and man-made (industry, agriculture, transport, energy production, etc.).

Specific topics: The use of fossil fuels, gas fired and nuclear power plants, oil chemicals, greenhouse emission gasses, ozone chemistry, acid rain, eutrophication, pesticides in agriculture, hormonal disruption effects in the environment and general industrial pollution (PCBs, PAHs, CFCs, dioxin).

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

• Have knowledge of key themes, theories and problems and describe important chemical reactions in the atmosphere and in water, including important chemical reactions in connection with smog formation, ozone chemistry and acid rain chemistry.

Skills

• locate, assess and refer to information and technical material and present it so that it highlights a problem in the subject
• outline the molecular basis of the greenhouse effect.
• know aquatic chemistry and water pollution.
• know problems in connection with the use of fossil fuels.
• know alternative energy sources.
• know important pesticides.
• identify environmental contaminants such as PCBs, PAHs, CFCs, PCDD and PCDF.
• give an overview of compounds with hormonal disruption effects.

General competence

• Can convey key subject matters as theories, issues and solutions both orally and in writing.

Required Previous Knowledge

KJEM110 or equivalent (basic principles of general chemistry).

Recommended Previous Knowledge

KJEM100, KJEM120, KJEM130. (basic principles of general, inorganic and organic chemistry).

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

None

Access to the Course

Access to the course requires admission to a programme of study at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is given as both lectures and seminars.

Lectures and seminars: 4 hours per week

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Attendance at the first lecture is mandatory.

Forms of Assessment

Due to corona situation the exam spring semester 2020 will be digital Written exam taken home. Counts for 100% of the final grade.

Due to the measures taken to avoid the spread of SARS-CoV-2, UiB is closed for teaching and assessment. As a consequence, the following changes is made to assessment spring semester 2020:

• Grading scale Pass/Fail instead of A-F
• Written home examination instead of written examination

Examination Support Material

Basic calculator in accordance with models specified by the faculty rules.

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade on the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Reading List

The reading list will be avaliable within December 1st for courses taught during the spring semester.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses.

Course Coordinator

Course Administrator